Ghost of drinking water crisis haunts Madikeri again

Subarid

Though river Cauvery has taken its birth in Kodagu district, the district is reeling under severe water crisis.

Lack of pre-monsoon shower has resulted in the depleting of water in the water sources.
The ghost of drinking water shortage has started haunting the citizens of Madikeri yet again.

The coffee plants have started drying without moisture content in it. Though the district is known for its Cauvery, Lakshmanatheertha, Hemavathi, Kannike, Harangi, Hattihole, Barapole rivers, the people of the region continue to suffer from acute shortage of water during summer.

Kodagu is known as the Kashmir of South India and is known for its pleasant weather.

However, the mercury level is on rise and has reached 32 degree celsius.

With the increase in temperature, the moisture content had reduced and there has been decrease in the water-level. The borewells and the wells have gone dry in majority of the places in the district.

Kootuhole reservoir, located on the outskirts of the city, which caters to a majority of the needs of the citizens has dried up.  Water is being supplied through tankers to the citizens by the CMC.

“There was no shortage of water last year. The CMC has started supplying water through tankers from March itself. A sum of Rs 30 lakh has been earmarked for supplying water through tankers,” said CMC president H M Nandakumar.

The situation in Somwarpet, Virajpet, Napoklu, Kushalnagar, Ponnampet, Kutta, Thithimathi, Palibetta, Hathoor and Hudikeri is not different from Madikeri. The tribals from in and around Siddapura are also suffering from scarcity of water.

Owing to erratic supply of power, water can not be filled to water tanks for supplying water to the citizens. 

With lack of rainfall and decrease in moisture content, the flowers in the coffee plants has started withering. The coffee planters have started using sprinklers to irrigate the coffee and to save the crop.